Peripheral nasal chemosensory receptor

Peripheral nasal chemosensory receptors are a diverse group of sensory proteins located in the nasal cavity, including olfactory receptors (ORs), trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), vomeronasal receptors, and taste receptors (T1Rs and T2Rs) expressed on solitary chemosensory cells (SCCs) (NIH, 2009; Nature, 2006). These receptors are primarily responsible for detecting environmental chemical cues, such as odorants, pheromones, and irritants, and translating them into neural signals that reach the brain (Britannica, 2024). In addition to their role in olfaction and chemesthesis, these receptors serve as critical therapeutic targets for central nervous system (CNS) disorders and respiratory conditions (Vistagen, 2023). For instance, synthetic neuroactive steroids known as pherines, such as fasedienol (PH94B), target these receptors to rapidly modulate the hypothalamus and limbic amygdala via oligosynaptic pathways, offering a novel approach to treating social anxiety without systemic absorption (Vistagen, 2023; CNS Spectrums, 2022). Furthermore, activation of bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) in the nasal epithelium can stimulate innate immune responses, including nitric oxide production and increased ciliary beat frequency, which are being explored for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (NIH, 2014). Trigeminal chemoreceptors, such as TRPV1 and TRPA1, also belong to this group and mediate protective reflexes like sneezing and coughing in response to irritants (NIH, 2006). Ectopic expression of these receptors in non-nasal tissues has also been linked to various pathologies, including cancer and metabolic disorders, suggesting their potential as biomarkers and drug targets beyond the olfactory system (Frontiers, 2021).

Other names

Nasal chemoreceptorOlfactory receptorVomeronasal receptorTrigeminal chemoreceptorPherine receptorChemosensory receptor of the nasal mucosa

Activation of peripheral chemosensory neurons to trigger rapid neural modulation of central brain structures via oligosynaptic pathways and induction of local innate immune or protective reflexes.